Saviours

So I met Johnny on what we call online band dating

Words: Ella Fearnley

Photo: Tyler Rayner

A band that has been in the making for some time and which some would call fate. Finally forming mid-2019 and then having a global pandemic to compete with, Lincolnshire group Saviours are ready and raring to get back in the studio and on stage.

The Alt rock band consists of Jonny Bilton – Guitar/Vocals, Sam Gosiewski – Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals, Alex Staton – Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals and Nathanial Weatherall – Drums/ Percussion. A band that are full of character and enthusiasm, every bandmember is regarded as an equal with all input and opinions shared and considered. The band were a joy to interview and are prepped and ready to hit the ground running. They’re just waiting for the day they can finally reunite and dive straight back in.

With gigs previously booked and having to be cancelled it’s not been an easy ride for the group but that’s not stopping them, with plans of honouring cancelled shows and finally being able to showcase their debut EP ‘Faces for Radio.’ The EP was released November 9th and consists of 4 tracks that are available across multiple streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music and amazon. The Tracks are inspired by everyday emotions, love and the hardships of life making the lyrics certainly relatable, particularly during one of the most difficult times experienced by a generation. Johnny talks about how he wants listeners to be able to “interpret the songs how they see fit.” Listening to the tracks you can tell there’s definitely a story behind each one. Lay It Down and If I Could See providing all the feels especially with the unique raspy, powerful vocals that draw you in. What Could’ve Been/ Criminals In Suits and Last Ones Standing are the songs that’ll be getting the crowd going, shouting and head banging along.

Although only having performed a few gigs, Saviours are already no strangers to getting some airplay. The EP has already had tracks played on BBC Radio Lincolnshire Introducing and Sounds. The group collectively enjoy listening to BBC Introducing and supporting other local bands/artists anyway but after spending hours writing and practicing Jonny talked about the band’s own songs and how ‘nothing compares with hearing it on the radio’.

Before the release of Faces For Radio the group released two singles ‘Baby Don’t Go’ and ‘For Me’. Both of which have also had some air play. The songs provide listeners with an insight of the band’s musical talents and really showcase their technical ability. Check out their quarantine edition of ‘Baby Don’t Go’ on Facebook. Saviours are a band to watch out for and a group you want to experience live. The energy and how solid the group are, not ony as band, but as friends really shines through. With talks of a potential new EP or maybe even an album forming when the band can head back into the studio and plans of lining gigs up as soon as possible. I really hope this year turns out to be easier for everyone and that we all get an opportunity to support Saviours on their journey.

I know you’ve had a few plays on the radio now but can you remember what you were all doing and how you felt, when you were first played on the radio?

Jonny: “I was nervous and excited, I couldn’t wait for one of our songs, that we’d written and spent hours practicing, to be played on air! Mental feeling when Hannah (presenter) introduced our song! Even though we’d listened to our recorded tracks time and time again; nothing compares to hearing it on the radio” Sam: “I was at home with the other half tuning in and having a few drinks too! We enjoy listening to BBC introducing anyway and the local bands/artists that are on there so was great to hear Saviours get some airplay.”

Faces For Radio

Saviours New EP

Have you struggled at all with a creative block at times during lockdown or has it helped in some ways?

Jonny: “Yes, definitely. Lack of inspiration is a massive factor for me personally. I need a good balance in life to feel creative. I’m sure once I’m back with the lads it’ll come flooding back” Sam: “Personally for me it’s helped in a way as I’ve had time to not be rushing around and get my head down into writing. I’ve been making sure I’m productive in lockdown otherwise I’d have gone mad by now! It’s helped with learning new things and getting better as a musician on a personal level.”

If you could play anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Sam: “For me it’d have to be Madison Square Garden in New York. It’s just got so much history and most of my favourite artists have played there. The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Bon Jovi, The Who, ZZ Top, Van Halen to name a few, it’s an iconic venue!” Jonny: “Japan! The Japanese music culture is something else” That would be incredible! have inspired your music? Or what would you say is your biggest inspiration for your tracks? Jonny: “For the tracks that I’ve written, I take everyday emotions, hardships of life, love, real things into consideration. Mainly based upon my own interactions with people and my own life. I try and write a song so people can relate to it and interpret it how they see fit. None of the artists that Sam mentioned inspire me, maybe Rolling Stones.”

How did you all meet/form as a band?

Sam: “So I met Johnny on what we call online band dating Join My Band brought us together in 2015 and we met up, jammed and had a duo for a couple of years. Alex and I met over 10 years ago from gigging in local bands around Gainsborough and being in other bands together and Nathanial I’ve known for quite a while, technically met his mum first at my part time job in my teen years and she used to show me videos of his drumming! We’ve jammed a bit over the years. I’ve been in a few bands but it was getting to a point where I was struggling to find a band where everyone was an equal and everyone’s ideas etc count. I had enough so I brain stormed the best guys I knew for the job and luckily they said yes!”

Photo: Tyler Rayner

Bet it’s been hard over lockdown not just sorting out band stuff but not being able to just hang out together too. What’s the first thing you’re all going to do when lockdown ends?

Nathanial: “It’s been awful! Just want to get back in the practice room and continue to be loud and obnoxious, while annoying the others! Perks of being the drummer and being the youngest” Sam: “I want to get back to practice and writing but 100% just hanging out with the lads and seeing them not through a video call will be the first thing for me can’t wait to see them all again!” Jonny: “Soon as this is all over the first thing we’ll do as a band is make some noise! It’s at the top of my priority list for sure, I love these guys to bits. We’re all so different in personality but somehow, when we start strumming and banging instruments, it all comes together”

When you get back to doing gigs does anyone in the group have any party tricks or useless talents that you all enjoy?

Jonny: “Haha now you’re asking! Sam does the Nokia ring tone, Alex pops his ear! Nathanial has to strap the drum sticks to his hands! #butterfingers. Myself and Sam do a great John Lennon and George Harrison impression.”

Can you tell me what was the best part of 2020 for you guys?

Sam: “The gap when Boris let people see each other in the autumn so we took advantage and got our debut EP recorded. Literally the week after, we had another lockdown” Jonny: “The best part of 2020 has got to be recording the EP and releasing it!” Nathanial: “100% agree, recording and releasing the EP was mint!”